Federer-Nalbandian rematch to open Masters Cup

SHANGHAI, Nov 8 (Reuters) World number one Roger Federer will get the chance to avenge last year's Masters Cup final defeat when he meets Argentine David Nalbandian in the opening match of the 3.7 million dollar tournament this weekend.

The Swiss was drawn in the same Red Group as Nalbandian, Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic and American Andy Roddick for the round-robin stage of the season-ending event for the top eight men.

World number two Rafael Nadal tops the Blue Group, which also includes in-form Russian Nikolay Davydenko, Spain's Tommy Robredo and American James Blake.

The tournament starts on Sunday at the Qi Zhong stadium in Shanghai.

REUTERS AY KP1847